Karate fighter

ABSTRACT

The invention comprises a mechanical man having two pairs of separately movable arms and one pair of separately movable legs which are constructed to carry out karate moves. The mechanical man includes electronic circuit apparatus for controlling the operation, and sequencing of the operation, of each of the arms and legs, whereby any given one of the arms or legs may be made to perform a certain characteristic motion when energized by the circuit apparatus, which can be followed in automatic sequence by the energization of another given one of the arms or legs. The circuit apparatus provides for energization of one arm or leg at any given time. The body of the man also includes padded disks mounted about the surface thereof representing sensitive pressure points which serve as targets for the user of the apparatus.

United States Patent 1 1.

Viscione 1451 Apr. 16, 1974 KARATE FIGHTER Primary Examiner-Richard G.Pinkham [76] Inventor: Eugene G. Viscione, 21 Franklin St., AssistantExammer l z' Stouffer semen/me NJ 08876 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert.A. Green [22] Filed: June 19, 1972 57 ABSTRACT [21] Appl..No.: 264,389The invention comprises a mechanical man having two pairs of separatelymovable arms and one pair of separately movable legs which areconstructed to [52] US. Cl. 272/76, 46/148 carry out karate moves Themechanical man includes electronic circuit apparatus f controlling the p[58] held of Search I 272/57 273/1 tion, and sequencing of theoperation, of each of the 273/ 46/27 148 arms and legs, whereby anygiven one of the arms or legs may be made to perform a certaincharacteristic [56] References cued motion when energized by the circuitapparatus, UNITED STATES PATENTS which can be followed in automaticsequence by the 1,587,459 6/1926 Workman, Jr... 46/148 energization ofanother given one of the arms or legs. 3,387,842 6/1968 u Edgar 272/76The circuit apparatus provides for energization of one 335,796 11/1906y--- 272/76 arm or leg at any given time. The body of the man also3*552'749 1/1971 P 273/15 A includes padded disks mounted about thesurface thereof representing sensitive pressure points which 3:675:92l 71972 Myers, Sr 273/15 A Serve as targets for the of the apparatus" 7Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 i so i g 3O A30 1 l 41 1' I y l 5. 1/

l I I I ,5 23 170 I 9 1eoe- 4805 4 I :190K

1eoc- /l8OC E i i 130 1 ,130 I 1 1 KARATE FIGHTER At the present timeand for many years up to now, there has been a great interest in thepractice of karate and similar activities. This interest is expandingcontinually. The practice of karate requires at least two people forbest results; however, since it is not always possible for one person tohave a partner available, as the next best alternative, a mechanicalpartner would be most useful. However, no such suitable mechanicalpartner is known or available.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of the inventionshowing some of its internal mechanical parts;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the apparatusof FIG. 1 and auxiliary operating apparatus therefor;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. I; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a circuit for use in operatingthe apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

Apparatus embodying the invention may be considered to be in the natureof a mechanical man which includes a generally box-like body portioncovering the area which would generally comprise the torso of anindividual, and a second box-like member seated on the first andrepresenting the head of the mechanical man. The portions 20 and 30 aresecured together in any suitable manner. The man 10 includes a firstpair ofarms and 4] a second pair ofarms and 51, and a pair of legs 'and70. In the pairs of arms, arms 40 and 50 are oriented horizontally andare adapted to perform a desired type of motion for a karatepractitioner, e.g. a swing, and the arms 41 and 51 are orientedvertically and are adapted to carry out another type of motion, e.g. achop. The arms and legs are secured to the torso 20 in any suitablemanner, with one suitable connection arrangement being described below.

A vertical support post 80, preferably of metal, is secured to the rearsurface of the first and second box portions 20 and 30 in any suitablemanner. and the lower end thereof is suitably secured to a horizontalstand 90, of wood or metal or the like, which is adapted to rest on thefloor. An air compressor is secured to the horizontal stand 90, and abox containing electronic control circuitry is seated on the compressor100. Other arrangements of the parts may also be used. Also, the aircompressor is provided with all necessary relief valves, regulators andthe like.

The arms and legs are constructed generally similarly and are connectedto their operating mechanisms generally similarly, and those skilled inthe art will be able to practice the invention from the schematicshowings thereof. Referring to FIG. 2 for a somewhat more detailedshowing of an extremity, e.g. leg 60 and its operating mechanism, theleg is formed of a length of alumi-' num tubing carrying a length ofsponge rubber tubing covering perhaps one-half of its length andextending from about the center of the member to the free end thereof.The sponge rubber protects the user when he strikes the leg (or arm).

The aluminum tubing of each of the limbs is split near its inner end toreceive a stiff spring to impart resiliency to the limb. The spring 140allows the limb to flex when blocked by the operator without causingdamage to the joint of the limb. The spring is illustrated schematicallyin FIGS. 2 to 4, and its mounting can be readily designed by thoseskilled in the art. The limbs 40, 50, 60, 70 may also be made of asemi-rigid plastic material, thus eliminating the need for flexiblesprings 140.

Rubber clubs, knives and similar dummy weapons (not shown) may beattached to the limbs to enable the operator to practice defensivetechniques against such weapons.

Referring again to FIG. 2 to illustrate the manner in which the arms andlegs are connected to cause them to move, the inner end of the tubing120 is fixedly connected to a rod which is suitably connected to thepiston of an air cylinder 180. The air supply 100 is coupled to cylinderby means of suitable tubing or hose 190.

The air compressor pressure is controlled by a relief valve 200 set forabout 50 pounds pressure, and an air pressure regulator 210 may also beincorporated in the system to allow the pressure to be increased ordecreased in order to change the speed and force of the operation of thelimbs. The air leaving the regulator is delivered to a solenoid-operatedair valve 220 which is operated electrically from a circuit to bedescribed and controls the flow of air to cylinder 180.

Briefly, when the valve 220 is operated, air is fed to the cylinder 180,andthe piston 170 is driven out of the cylinder, and this causes theattached leg member 60 to perform its function, e.g. to swing upwardlyfrom its initial vertical position to a horizontal position asillustrated.

The various parts of the apparatus 10 may be assembled in any desiredmanner, and one suitable specific arrangement is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.As illustrated, each chop arm 41 and 51 (only arm 41 is shown) isfixedly secured at its lower end to a horizontal shaft 230 which extendsinto the body 20 and is suitably rotatably secured therein. Each shaft230 is suitably secured to the piston 170 of an air cylinder 180A whichis mounted and suitably supported vertically within the head 30 on ahorizontal shaft 240. Cylinders 180A rotate shafts 230 and thus causearms 41 and 51 to rotate downwardly from their upright position.

Similarly, each swing arm 40 and 50 (only 50 is shown) has the inner end250 of its tubing rotatably mounted on a pin 260 carried by a bracket270 secured to the body. The end 250 of arm 50 is secured to the piston170 of an air cylinder 180B mounted and suitably supported horizontallywithin the body 20. Operation of air cylinders 1803 causes the arms 40and 50 to swing toward an individual standing in front of the fighter10. t

The chop arms and swing arms are suitably offset from each other so thatthey do not interfere with each other. In one suitable arrangement, theaxis of the swing arms is positioned below the horizontal axis aboutwhich the chop arms rotate.

Similarly, each leg 60 and 70 has its inner end 150 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4)rotatably mounted on a shaft 290 which is itself suitably supportedhorizontally at the lower end of the body 20. The leg end 280 is securedthrough lever 160 to the piston 170 of an air cylinder 180C suitablysupported vertically within body 20.

Of course, all air hoses, solenoids, regulators, etc., are provided asrequired, although not all are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The body of the karate fighter is also provided with four targets 300mounted on the front panel of the body. These four targets are locatedto correspond to sensitive areas of the body including nose, throat,solar plexus, and groin. The four member 300 are identical inconstruction, as shown in FIG. 5, and each includes an aluminum disk 310having its outer surface covered with a rubber pad 320 and having itsrear surface secured to a shaft 330 which is suitably slidably mountedin bearings in the front and rear walls of the torso portion of thekarate fighter. A coil spring 340 is mounted on the shaft 330 betweenthe rear surface of the disk and the front wall of the body to absorbthe impact when the operator strikes the member 300.

One circuit 350, usable to operate the karate fighter 10, is shown inFIG. 6 and includes a positive D.C.

' power supply 360 of the order of 20 volts ciiiinetft edtd a bus 370 inwhich a coin slot 380 and a relaycontrolled starting switch 390 arelocated. A casette tape recorder is connected across switch 390 toprovide sound effects, if desired. The bus 370 is coupled from switch390 to one winding 400 of relay 410, which controls the switch, toground. The ground side of the winding 400 is also connected through asecond winding 420 to contact 440 of normally open relay 450 having itsarmature 460 connected back to the bus 370. Relay 450 includes a winding442. The positive D.C. supply 360 is also connected through a second setof normally open contacts 470 and 480 controlled by relay 410 to a bus490.

A first lead 500 extends from the bus 490 to a conventional variabletimer circuit 510 which is coupled to the winding 520 of a relay 530operated by the timer. The timer includes a light (not shown) whichflashes each time the timer operates and closes the relay 530. The relay530 includes normally open contacts 540 and 550, and an armature 560which is connected to the bus 490. Contact 550 of relay 530 is connectedto a variable delay module 570 which operates a relay 580 having awinding 581, two contacts 582 and 584, and

arma r 586-.v i A conventional 110 volt A.C. power supply 590 isprovided from which buses 600 and 610 extend. The b is o ne t d Q. the am t 5198 1391.

3 and a motor 620 is connected across the 110 volt supply between bus610 and the contact 582 of the relay 580. The winding 630 of a relay 640is also connected across the 1 10 volt supply between the bus 610 andthe contact 584 of relay 580. The relay winding 630 operates a first setof contacts including contacts 642 and 644 and an armature 645 which isconnected to the bus 490 to the DC. power supply 360. The contact 644 isconnected to a delay circuit 647 including a photomodule type CK l 123and an associated resistor-capacitor network 650 which is connected tothe winding 660 of a relay 670 having contacts 672 and 674 and anarmature 676. The winding of relay 630 also operates a second set ofcontacts, including contacts 680 and 682,

which is connected by lead 685 to a bus 686. The armature 684 associatedwith the contacts 680 and 682 is connected to the bus 600 which isconnected to the A.C. power supply 590. Armature 676 of relay 670 isalso connected to bus 686.

The circuit 350 also includes a set of six contacts Al to A4, L] and L2,each of which is connected to the relays 220 (FIG. 2) which operate theair solenoids 180 which operate the respective arms and legs. A commoncontact C is also provided. The circuit 350 also includes aneight-position switch 690 having four decks 691, 692, 693, and 694 ofeight contacts each. The control knob for the eight-position switch issuitably mounted on the fighter, e.g. on the head (FIG. 1), for easyoperation by the user. The circuit also includes an auxiliary stepperswitch 700 having six contacts 701, each of which is connected to one ofthe contacts A and L which operate the air solenoids 180. Switch 700includes an operating winding 704 and a wiper 700W for engaging each ofthe contacts 701.

The first bank 691 of the eight-position switch 690 has each of itsfirst six contacts 691 C connected to one of the six contacts A and L.The seventh contact is unconnected, and the eighth is connected'incommon to one side of each of six micro-switches 790, which will bedescribed in greater detail below. The first deck of the eight-positionswitch has a wiper 691W which is connected by a lead 710 to contact 674of the relay 670.

The second deck 692 of the eight-position switch, having contacts 692C,has its contacts 1 through 6 and 8 unconnected, and its seventh contactis connected to the wiper 700W of the six-position stepper switch 700.The wiper 692W of the second deck of the eightposition switch isconnected to the wiper of the first deck by a lead 720.

The third deck 693 of the 8-position switch, having contacts 693C, hasits first six contacts connected together through the winding 442 ofrelay 450 and a lead 730 to the bus 740 which is connected to the bus610 of the HO volt supply. The wiper 693W of the third deck is connectedto one contact 750 of a relay 752, the armature 753 of which isconnected through a lead 756 to the commonly connected first sixcontacts of the third deck 693. The seventh contact of the third deck693 is connected through the winding 704 of the sixposition stepperswitch 700 and lead 780 to the bus 740, and the eighth contact isunconnected. The wiper 693W of the third deck is also connected to thelast contact of a six position switch 770 having six contacts 770C, therest of which are unconnected.

The fourth deck 694 of the eight-position switch, having contacts 694C,has its first six contacts unconnected, and the seventh contact isconnected through the winding 754 of relay 752 to bus 780. The eighthcontact is unconnected. The wiper 694W is connected by lead 695 tocontact L2.

The six-position switch 770 includes a winding 772 connected through thebus 686 to the armature 676 of the relay 670, and it includes a wiper770A and six contacts 770C. The first five contacts are unconnected, andthe sixth is connected to the wiper 693W of the third deck and to thecontact 750 of relay 752 as described.

The circuit 350 also includes the motor 620, which may be a clock motor,which operates at, say, RPM and carries on its shaft a disk 780positioned to contact and operate the six micro-switches 790 mentionedabove and illustrated schematically. The disk 780 includes a cut-out 800of approximately 60 so that, wherever the motor stops, the cut-out willbe positioned at one of the switches 790 which is arranged to be closedthereby. Each of the switches 790 has one contact 790A connected to oneof the solenoid contacts A and L as illustrated, and the other contacts7903 are commonly connected to the eighth contact of 'the first deck ofswitch 690.

The operation of the circuit 350 is as follows. When the start switch390 is closed and a coin is inserted in slot 380, the armature 474 ofthe relay 410 moves to contact 480 and DC. power is applied to the timermodule 510. Current flows through the winding 520 of relays 530, and thecontacts close, with the armature 560 engaging contact 550. DC. power isnow applied to the variable delay circuit which operates relay 580 tomove armature 586 into contact with contact 584. It is noted that thedelay of circuit 570 is adjusted to permit each of the air cylinders inthe body the necessary time to complete its operation. This will beclear to those skilled in the art. This delay circuit 570 alsodetermines the rate at which arm or leg of the karate fighter operates.When the relay 580 operates, the armature 586 closes on contact 584, andthis applies A.C. voltage to the winding 630 of relay 640. The two setsof contacts 644 and 682 are now closed by the armatures 645 and 684, andl 10 volt A.C. power is applied to realy 640. At this time, with thecontacts of relay 640 closed, DC. power is applied to the delay or timercircuit 647 to operate relay 670. In addition. A.C. power is coupledthrough the closed contacts of relay 640 and bus 686 to the six-positionstepper switch 770, and through the closed contacts of relay 670, andthrough leads 710 and 720 to the first and second decks of theeight-position switch 690. A.C. power is also coupled to the third deckthrough leads 610, 740 and 730.

Assuming that the eight-position selector switch 690 was the wipers setto contact the first contact of all of the decks, then A.C. power isapplied to the contact Al to the solenoid of arm 40, and the armperforms its motion. After the built-in time period has elapsed, thetimer 510 switches off and the relay 520 opens, the delay circuit 570 isde-activated and relays 580 opens, and the other relays open along theline as A.C. power is removedfrom the system, and the system is resetfor the beginning of another operation. The timer 510 again closes atthe set rate, and the operation is 're peated with arm 40 againperforming its operation.

At the same time, when the eight-position switch is set at the beginningof the above-described cycle of operation, the switch 770 isautomatically set to its first contact position, and each time thecircuit operates and arm 40 performs its motion, the wiper 770W ofswitch 770 moves by one contact. This operation is repeated, and the arm40 carries out its motion five times, and, on the sixth time, the relaywiper 770W contacts its sixth contact. This applied A.C. voltage to thewiper 693W of the third deck 693 of the eight-position switch, and 1 l0volts A.C. is applied to relay 450 which opens its contacts, and thisunlatches the latching relay 410 and opens the start switch 390 andturns off the circuit 350.

If the user of the apparatus manually operates switch 690 through eachof its first six positions separately, the same operation is repeatedfor each of the first six contacts of the eight-position switch whichcontrol the other arms and two legs of the apparatus. It can be seenthat, with each setting of the eight-position switch, the selectedmember of the body performs its functions six times and then the systemshuts down.

if it is desired to operate each of the body arms and legs sequentially,the eight-position switch 690 is set so that the deck wipers touch theseventh contact and the wiper 700W touchesthe first contact of switch700. When the system is energized by operation of the start switch 390,A.C. power is applied to the wiper 700W of the six-position stepperswitch 700 and to its winding 704. With this arrangement, each time thesystem operates beginning with the timer circuit 510 and the delaycircuit 570, first, the first member 40 performs its operation, then thewiper 700W moves to the second contact 701 for the required period oftime, during which the second member 41 performs its function. Thus,with each turn-on of the system, the wiper of the six-position stepperswitch 700 moves from position to position and energizes each of thebody-operating members in turn. When the sixth member L2 and the sixthcontact 701 are reached, A.C. power is coupled through lead 695 to thewiper 694W of the fourth deck of the eight-position switch, which is onthe seventh contact, and thus to the winding 754 of relay 752, to closeits associated armature 753 on contact 750 and to provide current flowthrough the 'winding 442 of relay 450, and thus to de-energize thecircuit as described above.

The circuit 350 can be used to provide random operation of the arms andlegs as follows and with switch 690 in the eighth position. When thesystem is not functioning, the motor 620 rotates, due to the fact thatthe armature 586 of relay 580 is in contact with the contact 582 andA.C. power is applied to the motor. When the starting latch 390 isoperated and the timer and delay circuits operate and the armature 5 86moves to contact 584, A.C. power is removed from the motor and the motorstops. When the motor stops, the cut-out 800 on the disk 780 ispositioned at one of the micro-switches 790 which is closed and thuscompletes a power circuit to one of the randomly selected solenoidcontacts A or L. With the eight-position switch set to the eighthposition, each time the timer circuit 510 and delay circuit 570 operateto connect A.C. power to the circuit, power is coupled through theeighth contact of the first deck and through the selected micro-switch790 to one of the contacts A or L and thus to one of the operatingsolenoids and air cylinders. The circuit thus permits the selectedmember to perform its five operations, and the circuit is deactivated,as described above, through relay 450. Each time one of the memberscompletes its functions, the system shuts down. This causes the motor620 to rotate until the start switch 390 is closed and the timer anddelay circuits operate to turn off the motor and to position the cut-outportion of the disk at perhaps a different micro-switch which controls adifferent operating member.

This mode of random operation can be continued as long as desired.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that various mechanical andelectrical modifications may be made in the apparatus described andwithin the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A karate fighter including a body portion representing the torso of ahuman body,

a head portion seated on said body portion,

a first pair of separately movable arms connected to said body portionand adapted each to perform a characteristic motion when energized,

a second pair of separately movable arms connected to said body portionand adapted each to perform a characteristic motion when energized,

a pair of legs connected to said body and adapted to perform acharacterisitic motionwhen energized, and v means in said fighterconnected to said arms and legs and energizable by an electronic circuitto selectively energize a given one of said arms and legs, wherein saidgiven one of said arms and legs will perform its characteriatic motionwithout the remainder of said arms and legs being simultaneouslyenergized.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 and including a plurality of diskspositioned on said body portion and said head portion and representingselected sensitive locations on the human body.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said first 6. The apparatusdefined in claim I wherein each of said arms and legs comprises a lengthof metallic tubing carrying a length of resilient insulating materialand a spring member inserted in said length of metallic tubing to absorbshock.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 1 and including an adjustable switchmounted on said head portion and connected to electronic circuitelements for controlling the operation of said arms and legs.

1. A karate fighter including a body portion representing the torso of ahuman body, a head portion seated on said body portion, a first pair ofseparately movable arms connected to said body portion and adapted eachto perform a characteristic motion when energized, a second pair ofseparately movable arms connected to said body portion and adapted eachto perform a characteristic motion when energized, a pair of legsconnected to said body and adapted to perform a characterisitic motionwhen energized, and means in said fighter connected to said arms andlegs and energizable by an electronic circuit to selectively energize agiven one of said arms and legs, wherein said given one of said arms andlegs will perform its characteriatic motion without the remainder ofsaid arms and legs being simultaneously energized.
 2. The apparatusdefined in claim 1 and including a plurality of disks positioned on saidbody portion and said head portion and representing selected sensitivelocations on the human body.
 3. The apparatus defined in claim 1 whereinsaid first and second pairs of arms each includes a vertical arm and ahorizontal arm, each vertical arm being connected to rotate downwardlyin a vertical plane, and each horizontal arm being connected to rotateforwardly in a horizontal plane.
 4. The apparatus defined in claim 3 andincluding mechanical drive apparatus disposed within said body and saidhead for causing said arms to perform said rotations.
 5. The apparatusdefined in claim 4 wherein said mechanical drive apparatus includessolenoid-controlled air cylinders for causing said rotations to beperformed.
 6. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein each of said armsand legs comprises a length of metallic tubing carrying a length ofresilient insulating material and a spring member inserted in saidlength of metallic tubing to absorb shock.
 7. The apparatus defined inclaim 1 and including an adjustable switch mounted on said head portionand connected to electronic circuit elements for controlling theoperation of said arms and legs.